Principles of Christian Dream Interpretation

There are lot many ways that a dream could be interpreted. Each religion has its own way of dream interpretation. In this article we will see how a dream is interpreted in Christianity. I have taken quotes from ‘The Bible’ and also have referred an e-book ‘Principles of Christian Dream Interpretation’. This article gives the gist from the book.

Dream - “A sequence of images, etc. passing through a sleeping person’s mind”.

Sleep laboratories have proven that everyone dreams one to two hours each night during a certain period of sleep known as alpha level, which is light sleep. Every 90-minute cycle of sleep begins with alpha, and then goes into deeper sleep which is called theta, and finally deepest sleep which is called delta. At the close of the first 90-minute cycle each night, the individual returns to alpha level sleep, where he has a short, five-minute dream period. The next time he cycles up to alpha, he has a ten-minute dream period. The third time in alpha, the dream period is about 15 minutes, and so on. If one sleeps a full eight hours, the entire last hour is essentially spent in alpha level sleep. Thus, the average person sleeping for eight hours a night will dream about one to two hours of that time.

Alpha level sleep is where one has what is called Rapid Eye Movement (REM). Rapid Eye Movement is exactly what it sounds like: the eyes of the dreamer begin moving rapidly. He is actually watching the scenes in the dream, and thus his eyes are literally moving back and forth, observing the action. By observing the alpha level sleep when Rapid Eye Movement occurs, researchers in sleep laboratories have determined when a person is dreaming and how much time is spent dreaming in an average night.

Dreams can be considered guardians of our mental and emotional well-being!

It is believed that GOD speaks to us through dreams. He guides and counsels us through
our dreams. He establishes covenants with us through our dreams. It is said that we must believe in dreams. Most dreams are symbolic (including biblical dreams), so view them the same way you would view a political cartoon. Throw the switch in your brain that says, “Look at this symbolically.”

At least 95% of your dreams will be about you – your inner self, your current situation, and your relationships. Your dreams come from your heart and will express the things that are important to your heart. The most common area your spirit will reveal will be your emotional, heart struggles and sanctification issues, expressed symbolically. Actions in the dream are to be viewed symbolically. If your dream wanted to really show you that you were going to die, it would picture that event symbolically. For example, just a few days before his assassination, President Lincoln dreamed of a casket.


 The people in your dreams often represent characteristics within you.

 Animals often represent your emotions

 Numbers in dreams generally represent the identical number in real life.


When interpreting dreams, we must look for metaphors, similes, and metonymies of our language. Dreaming about ketchup may be calling you to “catch up” in some area. A fire may be trying to warn you that you are “playing with fire.”

There is lot more how Christianity Interprets dreams. For more information read the book ‘Principles of Christian Dream Interpretation’.